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The Gilgit-Baltistan wildlife department has granted licenses for markhor hunting within the region, marking the commencement of the Trophy Hunting season.
In a recent auction organized by the GB administration, the permit to hunt the Astor markhor set a new record by fetching $186,000. An official from the wildlife department informed a media outlet that they had a total of four permits for markhor hunting, with the highest bid being secured for the Astor markhor.
During the auction, the local administration put up a grand total of 104 permits for hunting various endangered animals, including four Astor markhors, 12 blue sheep, and 88 ibexes. The second and third highest bids for markhor hunting permits stood at $181,000 and $177,000, respectively. The trophy hunting season is scheduled to run from November 1 to April 25.
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It is important to note that only 20% of the proceeds generated from the hunting permits are deposited into the national exchequer, while the remainder is directed towards the welfare and development of the local community.
It’s worth mentioning that in the previous year, a markhor hunting license was sold for $165,000. While not universally endorsed, trophy hunting is supported by some conservationists who argue that it aids in the prevention of poaching and contributes to the empowerment of local communities.
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